What Happened to the Cliff House in San Francisco?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 січ 2024
- Join Ken on a captivating journey through the history of San Francisco's iconic Cliff House. From its beginnings as a remote saloon in 1863 to its transformation into a high-end hotel and a witness to San Francisco's most dramatic events, the Cliff House is more than just a building. Discover its evolution through fires, earthquakes, and more in this enthralling episode of 'This House.' Learn about the Victorian 'Gingerbread Palace,' the majestic Sutro Baths, and the site's survival through the 1906 earthquake. Dive into the past and explore the mysteries and legends that surround this historic landmark.
The Cliff House was possibly the most iconic Victorian building to ever grace the Pacific Coast, but what happened to it? Find out in this short video
Check out our 2nd Channel: @ThisHousePlus
Like, Comment, and Share our video, Subscribe if you enjoyed this video!
Location: San Francisco, CA
Check out our Merch: thishouse.media
Join our Membership program:
/ @thishouse
Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, NPS, Justmerriam, Carleton E. Watkins
CC NY 2.5(creativecommons.org/licenses/...
CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Cullen328, Brocken Inaglory, Beyond My Ken
CC BY-SA 4.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Wikipedia User: Publichall, Gregory Varnum
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound
Check our the full beach video featuring the Cliff House we showed in the beginning of the video on our 2nd channel: ua-cam.com/video/08NuHpIKFS4/v-deo.html
The Cliff House is also famous for its camera obscura.
@@freedomforever6718 The Camera Obscura is a separate entity. To my knowledge, based on decades in the Bay Area, it is unrelated. It’s a separate commercial entity. Of course, I have never looked at the business license or founding documents, but I think the Camera was created as a separate tourist attraction along with other commercial establishments along the shoreline.
@@jenelleprins5306
You couldn't be more wrong. You walk out the back door of the Cliff House and there is the Camera Obscura.
This link doesn't link to the second channel, it just plays the same video.
The Cliff Houss is set to reopen in late 2024. When I was a kid, there was a room underneath the restaurant that had old carnival coin machines with dancing puppets, still frame motion shows, etc.
I was a kid then too and a native San Franciscan. I loved the Tom Thumb artifacts and the whole Cliff House experience. Glad to hear it’s going to reopen.
Muse Mechanique! Spent a good part of the Summer of ‘89 down there.
Apparently a lot of those machines have been moved over to somewhere near Fisherman’s wharf.
@@shennashepard6750 My understanding is that they were lost in the fire.
It's a fun place to go. Great view of the ocean
My mother was actually a lifeguard at the Sutro baths back in the day. She was a first generation San Franciscan 👍
I used to ice skate at sutro's. I was at playland the day it burned. We walked up the road and watched an iconic landmark burn. I miss all of that.
Carol, I bet your Mum has a tale to tell. I went to the Sutro Bath house and I always was fascinated by it. It saddened me when it was distroyed.
That is a sad sight. But....I loved playland that huge slide and the laughing lady.@@PaulHarris-sl1ct
@@waynefoote3781 the smell of those burlap bags for the slide is something that I will never forget. I was the last one on the spinning disc many times. I remember all the kids yelling " stand up"
NICE! Thank you for that man! My dad...on that slide was like DON'T DON'T put your hands on the sides and of course I did and My dad saved my hands and burnt his I will never forget that it left a bump on his thumb saving mine! thank you dear ol DAD! may he remain Eternal in Heaven.@@PaulHarris-sl1ct
I've always been fascinated by the Victorian version of Cliff House and how it seemed to defy gravity by perching on the edge of that rock cliff. I'm amazed it survived the earthquake!
I suspect that earthquakes release most of their energy on or very near to the fault line.
It survived the earthquake with minimal damage because it sat on solid Rock.
It's virtually on the San Andreas fault
I have so many memories of going to the cliff house for dinner as a kid. In the 70s my wife and I would ride our motorcycle there, take a bottle of wine and a joint, sneak around the chain link fence and climb around the Sutro baths to watch the sunset. In the 90s my youngest son had a possible heart problem and we took him to the UCSF Medical Center for tests... he was OK. But we had promised him he could have anything he wanted for diner afterwards. He wanted lobster and I couldn't think of anyplace nicer to take him than to the Cliff House. It was like magic... although packed, there was one open parking spot right in front of the door. With no reservation we got a fantastic table with a panoramic view of the ocean. And then we were told they don't have lobster on the menu. Eleven year old Gavin would settle for nothing less. We drove 120 miles back home to Redwood Valley and the Broiler Steak House for the worst lobster ever served. We were too exhausted to complain and fortunately Gavin didn't know any better. BTW the Broiler has great steaks.
My husband and I ate quite a few time at the Broiler Steak House we enjoyed the great salads before the meat 😂😂😂
Cute story. Made me smile. Thx for sharing. Went to SF in 90s. Would hav enjoyed seeing the Cliffhouse. Was fascinating to watch this video and all its history.❤
The Cliff House was such a great landmark. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 30 years. They always had such a fantastic brunch in the downstairs part of the building. Had to go see Laughing Sal, the seals and a hike down to Ocean Beach. So much history in that little corner of San Fran!
Thanks for sharing👍🏻🙂
lived in the Bay Area for 40 years. I can remember as a kid driving past that building, but didn't get to eat there. Parents would say that it was for "rich people".
Laughing Sal is still laughing today on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. 😊😂😊
You mean the laughing lady?
They had the best crab omelet in the world.
No one who ever lived in the bay area ever called San Francisco San fran.
Wow, what complete architectural differences in the building's "rebirths".
The Cliff House has always been one of the loves of my life. As a teenager, we’d park above it in vacant land and listen to the seals and the sounds of crashing waves.
How wonderful! I can hear them as you write this.
Born in Willits; went to Sutro baths with father and grandfather in early 1950; was totally amazed at Playland and Cliff House. Now live in rural Brasil and so appreciate your time and effort to create this memory for me. Thanks!
I remember the Sutro Baths fire. The smoke could be seen all over San Francisco. I lived just two miles east of the baths and remember how sad we were when the decision to tear it down was published. Thanks for bringing up a fond remembrance from a different era.
I used to ice skate there. It was so cool because you had to walk through the museum to get to the rink. On stormy nights you could hear the ocean beating against the wall
I was at playland the day of the fire. We came out of the fun house to see the smoke and walked up the hill and watched from as close as the sffd would allow.
We lived just down the hill on Moraga. We'd walk up to Cliff House most Sundays for the champagne brunch. Delicious food and sumptuous desserts. Wonderful music from the pianist made dining so special. We always took visitors there. When we moved away, The Cliff House was one of the last treats we afforded ourselves. Still remember it fondly. Hope it gets reopened in grand fashion soon.
I loved walking down there too. But most times I needed ear muffs the wind was so bad.
@@Karelife Oh yes. The wind - especially in winter - could be brutal.
Cliff House should definitely be saved and reopened. Love this place and important historical spot.
Caught a perfect sunset there as the big orange glow ball dropped directly into the water. Fine wine, good food, nice date, wonderful ambience, sea lions, seagulls, big rock water crash, Ocean Beach...some of the best times of my life.
Amazing how many times this Phoenix rose from the ashes. Spectacular site with such an intriguing story-still going onward!!Thanks, Ken!
You've outdone yourself with this video, Ken. Terrific collection of photos, and your narrative is excellent! I'd like to mention again that my all time favorite photos of the Victorian Era Cliff House (which are available online) are from 1902; Buffalo Bill and the entire cast of his Wild West Show posed on horseback on the beach below Cliff House. I'm glad you are recovered from your accident, and enjoying your new home. Stay safe with all of the snow and storms. :)
Thank you for your kind words! I'll have to look for those pictures! I remember seeing one with the cast hanging on the wall of a coffee shop not too far from Cliff House maybe 10 ish years ago.
I so miss the Cliff house! The Cliff House is a iconic part of life in the bay area for some of it. Our Easter holiday was the Cliff house every year. A tradition died when it closed. 😢
I enjoyed ice-skating at Sutros
It saddened me when they dismantled that wonderful museum!!!
And I cried at ŕhe loss
I had the honor to be selected on two occasions to represent my command at the annual Coast Guard Appreciation Luncheon. The staff treated us with respect, and seemed honestly happy to have us there. We also had a family dinner there in 2017 to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation, and everything was the same! The food, the service, the décor and the ambience was fantastic! I was saddened to hear that it had closed.
Love the Cliff House area. Grew up about 15 blocks from it. Wish some will reopen it. Thank you for redoing the video.
Great channel! The Cliff House! I am from old family in San Francisco! My grandfather owned the second automobile right behind Mr. Sutro! But he had polio as a child so could not drive due to his legs being of uneven lengths. So my grandmother drove the car! They had courted at the Cliff House. On a sad note....my son died in San Francisco in 2010. but we had a memorial at the Cliff House in the Terrace Room where not only my grandparents courted, but my parents as well. (They also swam in the Sutra Baths in their dating days as well.) The memorial for my son was amazing as it was just by chance that a reservation for the Terrace Room had been canceled and the memorial could be held there. The Cliff House is a very special place!
Who remembers Louis' diner right there next to the old cliff house? Was a great spot to grab some food and enjoy the view.
One of my favorite places to grab a bite,would always want a booth overlooking the water
So did I...great memory...
I Remember Louis also . Worked there also.
Between highschool and the navy I lived at 1522 great highway. I used to walk up the beach to Louis' for breakfast. I remember Louis' when it was yellow tile and line oleum and had a long counter.
Louis was open till…2018? Great place! Should never have closed!
I used to live blocks away from the cliff house. Back in the 90s, I remember exploring the ruins of sutro baths and finding lots of little bits of colored sea glass from what used to be the stain glass windows there. Such a cool area!
That area is a great place to walk around, look out for crazy drivers... When I was really young there was an amusement park "Playland-at-the-Beach" just south of Cliff House. Thanks for your time and posting.
I visited the Cliff House around ~1995 with friends from Germany. Beautiful spot and was still “quite grand.” Our friends from Germany had traveled the world and were in awe of this spot.
I am from San Francisco and have gone to sutros baths and used the ice skating rink was.
Fun also playland at the beach those were the good old days everyone enjoyed themselves I ate at the cliff house many times I miss those times good memories!
I remember going to Playland when I was a kid. Remember the gunny sacks when you went down the slides? Laughing Ann. They never should have gotten rid of Playland. Also we went to the Sutro bath house. It was very haunting.. I well remember the swimming pools.
I hoping that it will reopen and stay open. As a native San Franciscan, I treasure this place.
Been there many times in the 80's. Nothing but great memories of a truly majestic location and facility.
Hubby and I had dinner there in March of 2020… we were the only ones there. We sat overlooking the ocean in a pub type room. Food was yummy! Less than a week later the world closed. I didn’t realize Cliff House hadn’t reopened… we have a trip planned to SF in May, and had hoped to visit there again.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO BET THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO CATCH FIRE AGAIN ?
Exactly what I thought 😮Nothing else matters…
Great video!!! Keep them coming. San Francisco should not let anything happen to the Cliff House, it is part of its history.
Very interesting. I could listen to you speak about houses and their history way past five minutes. Cliff House is so interesting partly due to all the disasters. Love seeing the postcards and photos.
My last visit to the Cliff House was 2015. It still has the fabulous views, but the interior was more like the old diner. I have been wanting to return, but covid stopped that.
Had a champagne brunch there in 1997. Beautiful location, fascinating interior and wonderful food.
I worked at the Cliff House in the late 80s early 90s as a Sous Chef. An amazing Restaurant and beautiful building.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Cliff House years ago. Sad that it may be over.
Dang.. that's a great story in resilience
That was really well done. A full history in less than 5 minutes. I hope a new restaurant takes over such a nice building in such a rare location.
Great update. What an unfortunate history for such an amazing place.
It's history kind of makes me wonder if someone/ something isn't trying to tell us that this building just isn't meant to stay standing! I am not able to comment without piggybacking off of others comments lately. This isn't the only site where I am experiencing this. Wish I knew why!
@@megfuchs9425it’s a case of Great Minds think alike!
Great update. I'm new so I didn't know you had done it prior to this. I'm sorry about your wreck. It looks like a bad one! Leaves you shaken for sure.
Growing up in the 1970s here, this was a frequent stop for us on weekends in the City. ❤
❤❤❤
With all its rebuilds, you could do a series of each reincarnation of the property! There is so much to unpack here!
I was there in 1958, had a nice burger combo while watching the seals.
There's a story about Seal Rocks, too. The sea lions used to haul out and sleep on Seal Rocks. Then shortly after the World Series earthquake, they moved to pier 39. The sea gulls took over Seal Rocks for about 10 years. Then the pelicans forced the sea gulls off the Rocks and took over. They have been there ever since. When I was a kid it was rare to see a pelican flying over San Francisco. Now you see them all the time.
I went to the Cliff House when I was visiting San Francisco in 2018. A friend recommended I go there. I did not know anything about the history of the building, or the location. Looking at this video, I see many of the ruins of previous buildings there, that I have pictures of still, but didn’t know what their significance was. This video explained a lot. Thank you.
The Cliff House in the 80's was a great place to take a date. Overpriced mediocre food but great drinks and a wonderful view.
Some of my favorite memories were taking my great grandmother to the Cliff House for lunch or being there with friends. I have a piece of tourist artwork sold in the late 1800s in my living room.
Hi Ken -what I would really like to see more of are the mansions and Beautiful Homes we have out here in California and on the west coast
-so that would be my request for future videos
- thank you very much -I enjoyed this one a lot
I agree.
More to come!
I remember the Cliff House, on way to Whitney's Playland at the Beach. Grew up in the Bay Area, Visited San Franciso alot. The Cliff House was always Iconic. Loved this Video about this Wonderful Historic Landmark. 😅😅🥰🥰👏👏👏👏👏
I used to be a caregiver to a man with Alzheimer's who was born and raised in San Francisco. He would often say to me, "I'm going to take you out to dinner someday because you're so good to me. Anywhere you'd like to go!" I'd say, "I've always wanted to go to the Cliff House. Can we go there?" And he'd say, "Oh, I don't know if we could go there!." I'd smile to myself, knowing we never would, but I always figured someday when I was in San Francisco, I'd make time to go with my husband. We were often in San Francisco when our kids were little, and I've been past the Cliff House many times. Dining there was loosely on my bucket list. When it closed during the pandemic, I was so disappointed I'd never have the opportunity. I feel like I missed experiencing a piece of history. I sure hope it reopens someday.
Unfortunate fate of a historical place! Repeatedly happening , maybe some bad luck following the place
It is scheduled to reopen late 2024. You can just buy a drink-- you don't have to get dinner. Or you can visit the store in front and buy postcards and other tourist items.
It has been more than a landmark. I took my brother there for his birthday some 30 some odd years ago after being introduced by a boyfriend at the time. I love seal rock, and the cliff houses iconic history. Thank you for this small journey through it's history.
I’ve bn to the Cliff House many times …GREAT EXPERIENCE ALWAYS. For dinner or just to visit!!!❤
Thank You for sharing this. I ate there once with my father, sister + step mother in the late 1980's.... possibly early 90's. A very grand + unforgettable experience, indeed.
San Francisco is my home town. I left the day after graduation, May 30, 1975. I visited the cliff house several times for dinner! A lot of history there!
I have very fond memories of the Cliff house eating there as a child in the 50s ....visited it as an adult later. Thanks for the video ❤
I’ve eaten at the Cliff House as a child and we visited this magical icon many times on our visits to San Francisco.
Lived in Sacramento for 4 yrs. We only visited SF cpl times...stumbled in here once....am so glad we did
What a magnificent building it was! How sad it stood for such a short time before being consumed by fire. I have seen pictures of the distinctive structure before, but didn't know much of its history. Thanks for remaking this video and adding to the story!
More Cliff House! We live just up the highway and always went there for special occasions ❤
When I visited the cliff house in the 1980s, it had a camera obscura outside facing the ocean. It projected the ocean waves, island and seals onto a large round table. Truly breathtaking. In the basement of the building was a museum of antique coin operated mechanical toys and displays.
I was born and raised going to Cliffhouse every weekend. We would eat there then go play at Pllayland at the beach. Good times.
One of my favorite places to go when I lived in San Francisco.
I think the Victorian gingerbread palace was the best iteration. I love how it was cantilevered over the edge of the cliff! So beautiful!
I had dinner there in 1992. Joe Dimaggio was there that night.
I have just the best memories of my Grandfather taking us all to lunch at the Cliff House. The views are fabulous. I was their with a friend, for lunch a few years ago. It wasn't the same but I'm glad we were there. Still beautiful and lovely views.
On a trip to San Francisco when I was a kid, my parents took me to the Cliff House. It was exciting but I was sad that the old 7 story building was gone as this was the version of the Cliff House I had always seen. I also was saddened that the Sutro Baths no longer existed as my father when a student at Stanford in the 1940's remembers going to the Baths and having a great time. I sincerely hope that the Cliff House does re-open as it is not only a part of SF heritage but American heritage.
What a nice surprise the Cliff House❤ When i was somewhere berween 7 and 9 years old, I had my First Holy Communion..and when the event was over I said "can't we go get some coffee or something " . LOL I apparently had been to the Cliff House before and remembered it and my parents drinking coffee...Little did i know but my parents had made a reservation for that day❤ That was back around 1959❗️🙃
Went to the Cliff House for dinner in the early 80s more than a few times… it was THE BEST! So much history EVERYWHERE you looked! Moved, and went back in the 2000s- unrecognizable. Sterile and industrial and a lousy menu. Hope they figure out a way to make it great again!
The Cliff House is also famous for its camera obscura.
Great video, saw the original one as well! That shot of the city after the earthquake is incredible! Thanks for sharing!
Love love love 💕
We love you Ken!!
Cheers!
So interesting Ken and YES please select a few more for remaking...having seen the first, this effort is an great expansion. I particularly love the photo of the steaming belching smoke as it passes by the Cliff House. I had no idea it closed in 2020 and remains shuttered, just a waste what was done to this country during the Covid-era.
Interesting. It was great when it was many stories high. Thank you for this!!
Thank you so much, I loved going there for dinner and always wanted to know more about its history!
thank you for this. my family has been in sf since mid 1800s and my father would tell me about swimming at the baths and when i was a child in the 50s i learned to ice state there. my nana would tell me about the 1906 earthquake. i have lovely memories of walking around the sutro gardens. 8 years ago i moved to missouri but sf is/was my home. so sad to see what has happened to it. thanks for resurrecting some lovely memories for me.
I officiated a wedding at the Cliff House in the late 1990s. It was a surprise wedding - none of the attendees, except, of course, for the couple and me, knew there would be a wedding taking place that day. It was awesome!
Was born and raised there. My mom owned a bar on El Camino and it had pictures of the old cliff house
I loved The Cliff House!!! So many sea lions!!! It was so cool!❤
After high school I moved to San Francisco with my best friend & she & her boyfriend took me out to dinner at the Cliff House & it was amazing! Everything was special, the food, wine, & ambiance combined with the ocean & seals made it an unforgettable night out!
This was so interesting! Thank you so much for putting this together!
My grandparents bought a house in San Francisco, this was in the early 1900's. Our family home was in the avenues 35th and Irving. My uncle was born at St. Mary's hospital in 1916, my mom was born in 1918. All of my grandparents relatives were either born or came over from Italy and Ireland. My uncle was Father Edgar Boyle, uncle Edgar was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church across the bay in Oakland. We attended Holy Name catholic church in the avenues. We always went to the cliff house for lunch or dinner. The Cliff House was a beautiful place and right on the cliffs. I miss our beautiful city. San Francisco is not at all like the city we grew up with. All my brothers and sisters were born at St. Mary's or St. Luke's. I attended Mercy High school on 19th. Avenue. After school when we were allowed to go across the street to Stonestown. Capwell's was there along with I.Magnum's along with other great shops as I recall they had a See's Candy store. I'm so sad that our beautiful city has gone down hill. ❤
I remember as a child at the end of World War II, going to the Cliff House with my grandmother who told me the stories about what it was like when she was a girl and a young woman. It was always one of my favorite places to go, and I have many memories of my grandma.
I had one of the best meals at the cliff house in 1969. Good memories.
I love the Cliff House, and it holds many treasured Family memories for me. I enjoyed this video.
I have posters pictures of the sutro baths building and pool, really neat pictures I have had for about 40 years
My Aunt Isobell Sharpe took me to The Cliff House one afternoon, back in the early 1970s. I remember there were a number of slot machines in the entrance way or a hallway and I think we had lunch there, but now I can't be certain.It was so many years ago. But definitely an interesting place in a fascinating location.
Thank you 🙏
I've never heard of the sutro baths but that would've been an impressive excursion!
Great video. Always one of my favorite spots in SF. Full of natural beauty and a tortured, but fascinating, history.
OMG. I can’t wait Ken. I loved this place as a child in the ‘ 60’s!!
Really enjoyed your series!!! Thank you!!!
Yes please. It's stunning!! What an amazing history. I'd really love to hear the first hand stories, like who was suspected for starting the fire? Just different rumours and theories would be riveting for me. What a history...😁☺️ Thanks for posting to all involved.
As a resident of the Richmond district, in San Francisco, I very much miss having the Cliff House available for lunch, dinner ... or just a glass of wine, after a long walk. Also, I'm curious how the last couple to manage the facility was able to legally secure the rights to the name "The Cliff House." While it was closed during the pandemic, the letters were removed from the roof, and I've heard that they have the right to charge considerable money to "sell" it. That has been the name of the building as far back as I can remember (which is a LONG time. 😄
Nice to know about the history of the Cliff House. Sad to hear about the fires and how its previous historical structures were completely destroyed. I liked the 7-story Victorian building but at least there are photos to see what It looked like. It even seems like those fires were intentionally set. Thank you Ken. Love your stories about by-gone eras and their historical structures.
awesome documentary thank you
Playland at the beach right down the street. Then the great highway for races and then..the zoo. 1950s. So wonderful. Golden Gate Park started there also. I loved the roller coaster!
I would have loved to seen it rebuilt to it's original glory of 1896. Thank you for the interesting history of this beautiful place.
We would come here from Oakland and first stop in Golden Gate Park then go to the beach or Playland then end up at The Cliff House for dinner. I remember being enthralled with the Tom Thumb display cuz he was so small. Great times!! The thing is us younger kids didn’t care for fish so always had hamburgers. Thanks so much for this video. Amazing work and research. The photos are so memorable due to mom and dad having many books on California history and the early Bay Area. I forgot to reel everyone mom used to swim at Sutro Bathes in a blue wool bathing suit in the 1940’s
I grew up in Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. My parents often took my siblings and myself on day trips to Playland At The Beach and the Cliff House. Both places were so much fun, and interesting as well. When I was in college, I was saddened by the news that Playland was closing. Still, the Cliff house stood strong, serving tasty meals with fabulous ocean views and hosting a little museum containing exhibits re the building’s past elegance and popularity. It’s sad to think the latest version of the Cliff House sits empty, awaiting decisions, permits and investment.
No, be sad no longer, for the cliff house has been given a 20 yr lease & new restaurant will open sometime in 2024 🥰 🤍
We went here everyday after school! It was a meet up spot for us kids. Especially on the weekend. I never knew the full history of the Cliff House but it seems like the fire in 1907 after the earthquake, was intentionally set. Since the earthquake took the majority of the city. It was probably Loathed that this level of Wealth was still standing. This was a great memory 💛 and awesome Video. Thank you
I’m fifth generation, pioneer family to California in Lafayette the Cliff House restaurant we actually went out to when I was a child and I was at a auction and bought a lamp from the Cliff House restaurant. I’m so glad to see somebody remembered it thank you. And yes, do another video would be wonderful.
Thanks for reminding us of sight's like this